A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

We all know life is not easy. From those very first tentative steps we take as tiny toddlers we discover two things. The first is that when we first try to do something we’re likely to be unsuccessful, but with determination and a never give up attitude we will eventually succeed.

This was recently demonstrated to me by my granddaughter. For a while it seemed that she would settle for less than she could be, having discovered she could get around quicker and easier walking on her knees than either crawling or walking on her feet. She settled for this for a few months, and although it was extremely cute, her mum and dad were getting slightly desperate wanting to see their little girl cross the threshold and literally find her feet. Every now and again Amelia-Mae would stand and then in seconds drop back to her knees. She kept trying and then one amazing day, up she got and took her first real steps. Within days she was walking and walking and walking.

Within a week, there I was in the family garden watching her walking non-stop, up and down and all around. It was wonderful to watch. Since we have taken many journeys, and now I love nothing more than walking by her side hand in hand.

There is an old saying from Laozi, a Chinese scholar, “a journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” This is such a clear message, and it tells us that wanting something is not enough, taking action is essential, and nothing can be achieved until you begin, and this necessitates making your first move, because simply you cannot begin a journey without that first move. Be prepared for many unsuccessful attempts, accept failure as part of your learning curve, and just keep trying.

Since that time I call my darkest days where I lost everything, well my home, money, business followed by my health I have experienced many ups and downs. One thing is certain, life will always move on, whether we take action or standstill. The variable is what our outcomes will be. I refused to give up, and to this day, although I have not reached the point that I am travelling to, I never stop, and make sure I keep going taking step after step. Not every one of them proves the right one, but I learn from my mistakes, and take more steps, each one designed to lead me to the place in life I want to be. I don’t believe anything can stop me, and the same applies to you.

At this time, our Compass for Life Course at the Reinvention University has reached a critical point. Having learned how to brainstorm in order to create a plan of action, having set a major breakthrough goal, now they’re ready to start making it happen. To do this they have to begin by taking their first step, getting into action man mode, and doing these things they have worked out our necessary. There’s no time or benefit from constantly reviewing their plan, nothing happens until they make it happen, and this requires taking action.

As my granddaughter proved and every successful human being through all generations, every journey is initiated from a single step. Many a journey will be travelled as a cause of one particular action that will bring about new experiences and a discovery of new destinations, we were never meant to stand still instead be explorers, and find our way to new outcomes. It all begins with that first step.

I am reinventing my life and helping others do the same, and I’m telling you all that any journey of great significance requires a starting point; just like a butterfly evolves from a caterpillar.

Keep taking action, or get started right now, and take one small step after another until you arrive at the point where your dreams await.

About the author: Larry Lewis

I'm Larry. As an Executive Life Coach, entrepreneur and writer, I am an unshakable optimist dedicated to helping you become the person you most want to be. I am devoted to sharing ideas, tools and resources that will help you create a better, stress free, well balanced life.